Table and bench unit



July 24, 1951 w. e. KOENIG TABLE AND BENCH UNIT Filed March 29, 1948 INVENTOR.

Wen-58 6-. Kan av m, Mulqv Mk5"! ATTORNEYS Patented July 24, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TABLE AND BENCH UNIT Walter G. Koenig; Milwaukee, Wis. Application March 29, 1948, Serial No. 17,751

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in table and bench units in which portions of the table top tilt to provide a back for each bench.

It is the object of the invention to provide a simple and novel construction in which bench and table units are rigidly supported and the table top portion which provides the back for the respective bench is so mounted as to swing into close proximity to the bench when used for that purpose and to swing upwardly to a hori zontal position to be used with the table top portion of another similar unit to constitute a full width table.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a simple and eifective means for positioning the tilting table top in each of its respective positions.

Other objects will more fully appear from the following disclosure of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of the assembly of a complete bench and table unit.

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of a single bench and table unit in which the table top is pivoted to position for use as a backrest for the bench. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed view in side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in side elevation, further enlarged, showing the two positions of which the table top is capable and showing the means whereby it is releasably secured in each of the respective positions.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detailed view in/front elevation of a portion of the table top brace, a part thereof being shown in section.

A complete set embodying the invention comprises two units which are identical, each comprising half of the table top and each comprising a bench; The respective table top halves may be swung to horizontal position and when the two units are associated side by side the two halves together constitute a full width table. However, there is no connection between the two units and each unit may be used separately with a half width table if desired. Also each unit may be used as a bench, the half table top thereof being swung in position to serve as a backrest for the bench.

Each unit comprises a pair of end frames, generically designated by reference character 6. Each end frame comprises a pedestal I and a front support 8 for horizontal member 9 upon which rests the bench seat It. The pedestal I and the front support 8 are both supported on a. foot II. A stretcher I2 connects the feet of a brace I3 is connected centrally beneath the bench seat and extends obliquely downwardly to connectionwith the respective feet II at opposite ends of the unit.

Each unit comprises a table top section I5. The respective sections I5 are each provided with cleats I6 extending transversely thereof, the cleats preferably being disposed in the same vertical plane as the pedestal I. The respective table top sections I5 are pivoted but instead of being pivoted directly to the pedestals, each table top section is provided with a short link I! rigidly connected to the top section and to the adjacent cleat I6 and provided at I8 with a pintle bolt connecting it with the pedestal I.

The combined height of the pedestal and the link I! is appropriate for maintaining the table top section at a suitable level above the bench seat I0. However, the length of the link I! is sufficient so that, despite the fixed location of the table top section at an adequate distance away from the bench to afford free access, the table top may nevertheless be swung about the pintle I B to a position where it will serve as a proper backrest for a person using the benchseat I 0, the length of the arm I! spanning the gap between the pedestal and the bench seat I0 to hold the table top I5 in the desired position.

At each end of each unit I provide a collapsible brace arrangement which serves as means for holding the table top horizontal and also serves to position the table top in its inclined position for use as a backrest. One link element I9 is pivoted to the table cleat I6 at 20. Another link 2| is pivoted to the pedestal 1 at 22. The two links are pivoted together upon a pintle 23 and, inasmuch as this requires that the links be lapped at the point where the pintle 23 is located, and since the cleat I6 and pedestal I are in the same plane, the upper link I9 is preferably offset at 24, providing a shoulder against which the beveled extremity 25 of the lower link engages when the two links are aligned in the position shown in full lines in Fig. l. Below the shoulder the portion 26 of the upper link I94 extends beyond the pintle 23 and its extremity 21 has an angular offset at 28 constituting a stop which, in the dotted line position of the parts shown in Fig. 4, engages the side of the pedestal to define the desired angular position of the table top to serve as a backrest.

A locking sleeve 30 of rectangular cross section slides on the upper link I9 to and from a position of engagement over the free end portion 25 of the lower link 2!. In the full line position of Fig. 4, and also in Fig. 5, the locking sleeve is shown so engaged. In this position it locks the two links together to constitute a single strut or brace, the two links being substantially alined, to maintain the table top horizontal.

When the locking sleeve is slipped upwardly to free the end 25 of the lower link 2|, the links may be pivoted upon their connecting pintle 23, and, thereupon the locking sleeve will slide downwardly on the upper link l9 to engage the side of the lower link 2| when these links are in the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4. Theensasement of the locking sleeve 30 with the side ofthe lower link 2| occurs simultaneouslywith the engagement of the pedestal by the offset, foot 28, of. the upper link I9, thereby constituting a brace which effectively positions the table top for use as a backrest.

Since eachof the bench: units is com;gleteeand independent of the other, either, bench unit mayv be used separately in the, manner suggested, in Fig .,2. However, if thetable top sectionsa fi ide. justed to table top positions, itwillbc noted that they may be fitted together, the two units, being disposed side by side as shown in Fig, 1- sov that the two table top sections constitute a single full width table served by the two benches on opposite sides thereof.

As a, supplemental or an; alternativemeans; of securing the table. top in adjusted position; I may provide each. pintle? bolt l8, wi h a W ne nut a shown in, Fig. 4; and the tightening of, thawing nut will serve frictionaily' to, position; the, table,-

op links ll respecting their connected pedestal-1.

The right end frames comprising portions, of the pedestal 1 on supports 8 andthe horizontal members, 9- upon which the seats I are.- mounted constitute a, desirable feature of the present in vention, particularly in conjunctionwith the pod-. estal links I! which throw the table top. sections laterally toward the seat H). when theseat topsections are adjusted to backrest positions. It will also be noted that each of the table top seo-. tiQns I5 is asymmetrically disposed with reference to'its supporting link H, the said supporting link being closer to that margin of the tabletop section which abuts the margin ofthe other unit,

when in use of the table. This is also, a desirable feature toward bringing the table top section intoproper backrest position.

I claim: I

1. In a device of the character 31escrib i L the members of the respective frames, a brace, connected centrally with the seat and extending thence obliquely to the feet of the, respective frames, an arm pivotally connected with the top. of each pedestal, and a table top, section con-m nected with the respective arms and spanning the space between said pedestals, said table top section being normally horizontal and having a substantial portion of its width at each side of the pedestals and being pivotally movable with its said arms less than across the pedestals from a horizontal position for use as a table to an inclined position at the side of the pedestals and adjacent the seat for use as a backrest, the table top sectionbeing provided with a cleat substantially in the plane of each pedestal, the arm being offset respecting the cleat and respecting the pedestal and a collapsible brace having terminal portions connected with each other and pivotally connected at their free ends with said cleat and pedestal.

2 In a device of the character described, a pair of end frames, each comprising a horizontally elongated foot, a pedestal at the rear of the foot and a front support at the front of the foot and ahorizontal seat supporting membersupported by -the, pedestal and by the front support, together with a seat spanning the space between said end; frames and resting upon the respective seat supporting members thereof, a stretcher extending; between the feet of the respective end frames, a brace having a central portion connected with the seat and extending thence obliquely-to a foot,

of an end frame, an arm pivotally connected: to,

ing a cleat substantially in the same pl p destal and on one s f hich the arm s ri idly connected to said section, and a collapsible nd ed respectively, and ubular 1, o .1. ni2;'v

sleeve slidable upon one of the brace infililh is' and engageable overthe end or the other, said one brace member being extended past the pi tal connection between said brace members, and vided with an offset foot engageable with. thepedestal in one position of the table top, the table top section being pivotally movable with its respective arms on their pivotal connection with; s d pedestals between a horizontal positionw it is adapted to be associated with the tabletop section of another'like unit toconstitute a table and a generally upright position in which said table top section is disposed adjacent. the bench to, serve as a backrest therefor, the respective ms upporti id ab e op c on fr m. he pedestal carrying it at a point nearer the bench eat tha h ede for b c res p rpo es- LTER K IG- REFEBENCES CITED The following references are of record .in the file of; this: patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS hi i 

